It seems that my life is full of “I Can’ts. I can’t go backpacking with my family. I can’t eat certain foods because they make me ill. I can’t travel easily right now due to food intolerance issues. I can’t function like I want to because of chronic fatigue syndrome. I can’t, I can’t, I can’t. I hate it.

Perhaps you have some “I can’ts” in your life too. They aren’t fun. In fact they are awful.

But God reminds me that I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13) That doesn’t mean that I will be able to backpack or run races or even function like I want to, but it does mean that what God wants me to do I will be able to do. He will give me the strength to persevere and accomplish what He has planned for me.

I went to a Hopi show at our local museum recently and met my son’s friend Davis there. He is a painter and had several of his paintings displayed. One painting, of a warrior maiden named He’e’e’, spoke to me. The title of the painting is Undaunted.

That is what I need to be. Undaunted by my circumstances. Full of I cans instead of I can’ts.

I can do what God asks me to do. He has allowed the awfulness of chronic fatigue syndrome and food intolerance in my life for a reason and I will do the best to serve Him and accomplish what He wishes for me to accomplish while I’m in this state.

I had a hard day recently and as a result tears were forming in my eyes and running down my cheeks. As my heart was crying out to God a song randomly came on to my iPod. The song was entitled El Me Conoce which means He knows me. (I have Spanish songs on my iPod because I’m trying to learn Spanish…. 🙂 )

The words to the song go on to say “He sees each tear that falls and hears me when I call.” I really needed to hear that right then, and I was so grateful that God provided those encouraging words!

Yes, God does see our tears. He even collects and records them! Psalm 56:8 says: “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” I don’t know why He takes special note of our tears…perhaps someday He will replace each one with a special hug or measure of joy.

God also hears us when we cry out to Him. “The Lord hears His people when they call to Him for help…..” (Psalm 34:17-18)

I was so encouraged that God knew where I was emotionally and He responded with a song. (Isn’t it amazing that God can use an iPod to reach us?) If you need to be encouraged that God knows your name, knows your troubles, sees your tears and hears your cry, then take a moment to listen to either the English or Spanish version of this song. He loves you and He does care for you!

While out driving early one morning, I saw a huge meteor streak across the sky right in front of me. The song about the Wise Men came to my mind, for it was truly a “Star of Wonder” that appeared in front of me. I learned later that it was the Geminid Meteor Shower that I been fortunate enough to see a part of. If I had known it was going on, I would have gotten outside earlier!

The following devotion is what I heard God say to me as a result of that spectacular ball of light streaking across the sky.

I wish you all a blessed Christmas season!

My Dear Child~

I want you to know that I am always leading and guiding you. I know what you seek and I am lighting your path so you can find the way.

Remember the Wise Men and their desire to see The King? They studied the prophecies and were willing to make the long trek from their home to Jerusalem and then to Bethlehem. It took effort to study the prophecies and make the arduous journey from their home. You might imagine that their trip was full of unexpected troubles.

Likewise, your journey will take effort too and it may also be fraught with problems. That doesn’t mean I am not with you and guiding you. I am always guiding you, just as I guided the Wise Men with a star to where the Child was. (Matthew 2:1-12)

I never want you to lose heart, My Child. So when times are tough, look up to Me. You will find encouragement, and it just might come in the form of a star.

Sometimes life doesn’t go as we would like and we find ourselves in situations that we would rather not be in. And those situations can last a long, long time.

I felt God telling me the following as I watched my family leave for a hike in the Grand Canyon….something that I used to be able to do, did all the time and now really miss being able to do.

May the following words bless you if you find yourself on a different path than you used to be on.

My Dear Child~

You wonder why you can’t do the things you used to do. You see others doing what you want to do. They are heading down a path that you used to be on and you aren’t on it any longer. I can see that you are sad and discouraged. You wonder if you will ever go down that path again.

May I say to you that your path is not their path.

If you pause and assess the situation, you will see that you have trained others so they can take over what you used to do. You have passed on the torch to others and they are carrying it well. And even though you want to be part of what they are doing, I want you to be doing something else.

Asking why something has happened may not help you as My ways are not your ways and you won’t always understand why I allow what I allow. (Isaiah 55:8-9)

Instead of asking “Why?” ask “What?” What can you be doing to help others given your current circumstances? Another question to ask is similar: “How can you bring glory to God now?”

You are a unique individual. There is no one like you, there never has been anyone like you, and there will never be anyone like you. (Psalm 139:13-16) So, if your path has changed, that is because I need your abilities in a different area. Sit back, take a look inside at what makes you tick, take a look at your circumstances and apply what you’ve been gifted with to help others and bring glory to Me.

If you are confused then talk to Me. I love it when you spend time with Me. I will clarify what it is that you need to know. (1 John 5:14-15) Consider Job, who had many questions during his trials, I heard him and responded. (Job 38-41)

Take heart, My Child. While your path may have changed, your usefulness has not. Your talents are most certainly needed. But they are not needed (at least at this time) on the path you used to be on. They are needed in a different area. So, stop looking where you used to be and take a moment and assess where you are. Then, don’t ask “Why?” but ask “What can I be doing given my current circumstances?” and ask “How can I bring glory to God?”